Hairspring assembly for oscillator

ABSTRACT

An assembly comprising a generally spiral hairspring intended for attachment to an oscillating element which is subject to the action of an electromagnetic arrangement synchronizing its frequency with that of a pilot frequency. The turns of the hairspring are divided into two groups or sections, one external group or section of at least one turn and one internal group or section. The groups or sections are connected to each other by a section of hairspring substantially radially disposed with respect to the axis of the hairspring. Two banking stops are provided and so arranged that the radial section, on moving between the stops, encounters them as soon as the angle of oscillation exceeds the limit fixed by the stops.

United States Patent Berney 1 May 29, 1973 I HAIRSPRING ASSEMBLY FOR FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS OSCILLATOR 254,842 12/1912 Germany ..58/1l4 [75] Inventor: Jean-Claude Berney, Lausanne, 257,430 3/1913 Germany ..58/1 14 Switzerland P E H. M] [73] Assignee: Bernard Golay S.A., Lausanne, nmary xammer George Jr Switzerland [22] Filed: Sept. 25, 1972 [21] Appl. N0.: 292,170

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 27, 1971 Switzerland ..13976/7l [52] US. Cl ..58/1l4 [51] Int. Cl. ..G04b 17/06 [58]- Field of Search .L ..58/28 B, 114, 115

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,599,423 8/1971 Beguin et al. ..58/28 B 3,623,314 11/1971 Schneider ..58/l15 Att0rneyEric H. Waters, John G Schwartz, J. Harold Nissen et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT An assembly comprising a generally spiral hairspring intended for attachment to an oscillating element which is subject to the action of an electromagnetic arrangement synchronizing its frequency with that of a pilot frequency. The turns of the hairspring are divided into two groups or sections, one external group or section of at least one turn and one internal group or section. The groups or sections are connected to each other by a section of hairspring substantially radially disposed with respect to the axis of the hairspring. Two banking stops are provided and so arranged that the radial section, on moving between the stops, encounters them as soon as the angle of oscillation exceeds the limit fixed by the stops.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIEnMAmms 3' 735 86 SHEET 1 BF 2 HAIRSPRING ASSEMBLY FOR OSCILLATOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to oscillators or resonators particularly for time pieces and the like and, more particularly to devices of the type comprising a hairspring intended for attachment to an oscillating element subject to the action of means synchronizing its frequency with that of a pilot frequency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has already been proposed (see my copending applications Ser. No. 173,564 filed Aug. 20, 1971 and Ser. No. 292,166 filed Sept. 25, 1972 to synchronize a mechanical resonator or oscillator with a given pilot frequency by means of an electric power source by utilizing, for control of the impulses, the action of a phase displacement obtained by elastically repelling the resonator each time it tends to exceed a preset angle of oscillation. Such an oscillator can be a balance with a hairspring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a special hairspring fitting which can be used with advantage in the aforesaid case. 7

According to the invention, an assembly is provided which is characterized by the turns of a generally spiral and planar hairspring being divided into two groups, an external section or group having at least one turn and an internal group or section, the groups or sections being connected together by a section of hairspring substantially radially disposed, two stops or banking pins being provided which are so arranged that the said radial section moves between themand strikes one or the other as soon as the angle of oscillation exceeds the limit fixed by the said stops or banking pins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The attached drawing illustrates one embodiment of the invention given by way of example. In the drawing:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a hairspring of the invention in plan view and respectively in its two extreme positions of oscillation;

FIG, 3 is a plan view of an assembly including said spring; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical section along the axis in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The hairspring shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has its turns divided into two groups or sections, one outside turn 1 and two inside turns 2. The two groups are interconnected by a portion 3 disposed almost radially with respect to the axis A of the spring.

By arranging the stops 4 and 5 in the path of the section 3, the angle of oscillation of the hairspring is restricted and, at the same time, so is the oscillating element to which it is attached.

FIGS. 3 and 4 (FIG. 3 being on a somewhat smaller scale) show the complete assembly. The hairspring including parts 1, 2 and 3 is joined externally to a spring regulator 6 and, on the inside, to the hoop 7 of balance 8.

This balance carries two pairs of magnets 9 between whose paths is the stationary coil 10 forming the electromagnetic driving or synchronizing element which, however, is not a part of this invention except as the assembly may be considered as a whole.

Between regulator 6 and a balance cock 11, a ring 12 is inserted carrying a kind of loop 13 crossed by the radial section 3 of the hairspring. The side portions of loop 13 form the two banking stops 4 and 5 previously referred to with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus comprising a generally spiral hairspring disposed about an axis and including internal and external sections each including at least part of a mm and a connecting section connecting said internal and external sections and being at least substantially radially disposed relative to said axis, means coupled to said hairspring whereby said connecting section oscillates back and forth, and stops positioned on opposite sides of said connecting section to limit movement of the same.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a loop supporting both said stops. I

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means includes electromagnetic means for the driving of said spring.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said internal section includes a plurality of turns.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hairspring is planar.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means includes a spring regulator connected to said external section. 

1. Apparatus comprising a generally spiral hairspring disposed about an axis and including internal and external sections each including at least part of a turn and a connecting section connecting said internal and external sections and being at least substantially radially disposed relative to said axis, means coupled to said hairspring whereby said connecting section oscillates back and forth, and stops positioned on opposite sides of said connecting section to limit movement of the same.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a loop supporting both said stops.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means includes electromagnetic means for the driving of said spring.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said internal section includes a plurality of turns.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hairspring is planar.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means includes a spring regulator connected to said external section. 